Quick Hits: Neil Diamond, Oscars, Britney Spears, Pearl Jam

Jan 23, 2018

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond has announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring from touring. The legendary singer has canceled the upcoming third leg of his 50th Anniversary tour in Australia and New Zealand. In a statement, Diamond said, “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years.” Diamond turns 77 years old tomorrow and was already slated to be honored this weekend with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys.

The 2018 Oscar nominations were revealed this morning, with a number of notable musical nominees. Mary J. Blige is up for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Mudbound, while her contribution to the soundtrack, “Mighty River,” was nominated as well. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood‘s score for Phantom Thread was also nominated for Best Original Score. In the Best Original Song category, in addition to “Mighty River,” veteran indie singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens‘ “Mystery of Love” from Call Me By Your Name was nominated, alongside Miguel f/NataliaLafourcade with “Remember Me (Dúo)” from Coco. The remaining Original Song nominees are Andra Day f/Common with “Stand Up For Something” from Marshall and “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. The 90th annual Academy Awards will be handed out on March 4 on ABC.

Britney Spears‘s “Piece of Me” show is leaving its Las Vegas residency to tour this world this year. The Pop singer will visit the East Coast for 11 dates in July then perform in the UK and Europe in August. The U.S. tour begins with a two-night stand in Washington, D.C. on July 12-13 and wraps with three nights at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL from July 27-28. The overseas tour begins in Brighton, UK on August 4 and runs up to August 24 in London.

Pearl Jam has announced a pair of “Home Shows” in their hometown of Seattle at the Mariners’ Safeco Field next summer. Set for August 8 and 10, it is the first time the rockers have played Seattle in five years. Pearl Jam has pledged at least $1 million from the concerts to addressing homelessness in Seattle, with the band hoping to raise $10 million in 2018 in conjunction with local businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations. “Seattle is our hometown,” guitarist Stone Gossard said in a statement. “When there are challenges here, we want to be part of the solution. It’s heartening so many organizations and individuals coming together to do the same. It’s going to take all of us.”